"The Wrestler" looks more than promising

November 21, 9:47 PMPro Wrestling ExaminerMark Satrang

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Mickey Rourke as "The Wrestler"

Professional wrestling is about to go a little more mainstream thanks to Darren Aronfsky’s new motion picture, simply titled “The Wrestler.”

The film follows aging pro wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) who was a big wrestling star in the late ‘80s try to reclaim his lost glory. Twenty years after his big-time run has ended, Robinson gets through life by wrestling in front of small crowds in high schools and community centers across New Jersey. He is estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and has no sustainable relationships. After a heart attack puts his wrestling career on hold, he begins to analyze his life. He tries to reconnect with his daughter and strikes up a relationship with a stripper (Marisa Tomei).

Unfortunately the allure of the wrestling ring is too strong and he gets pulled back into the lifestyle as he looks for one more main event against his long-time rival “The Ayatollah” (former professional wrestler Ernest “The Cat” Miller.)

The film has been an absolute success on the film festival circuit after it debuted at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It then went on to win the “Golden Lion” at the 2008 Venice Film Festival. The Golden Lion is awarded yearly to the Festival’s best film.

For Searchlight acquired the rights to distribute the film in the United States, and it will be released nationwide on December 17, 2008.

Here’s the full-length trailer that was just released this past week:

Aronofsky, who is known for films like “Pi” and “Requiem for a Dream” stated in an interview with SLAM! Wrestling wanted to “make a serious, thoughtful, and sober film about the ridiculed subculture of pro wrestling.”

Rourke apparently based his character on aging professional wrestler Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, who was a huge wrestling star in the ‘80s and early ‘90s before fading into small independent shows in high schools. Rourke met him at an airport and struck up a conversation. Valentine says they discussed the life of a professional wrestler for several hours during a hotel meeting, but he claims that he was never offered a role in the movie.

I think this movie looks just fantastic. I have reading about it for months now back when Nicholas Cage was still signed on to play the lead role. Cage’s involvement in the film didn’t last long before it was announced that Rourke would take over as star. By all accounts it was the right move as critics who have seen the film have praised Rourke’s role as Oscar-worthy and a definite comeback for the self-destructive star. With Rourke’s revival with this film and Robert Downey, Jr.’s return to prominence, could 2008 be the year of the comeback?

As for me as a wrestling fan, I am extremely excited to finally have a motion picture about wrestling that treats it is a serious subject, without all the camp and cheesiness. Many of the wrestling scenes were filmed on March 14 and 15 during Ring of Honor events. It was done, not only for the convenience, but so the crowd would be filled with real-life vocal wrestling fans, lending to the scenes’ legitimacy. Judging by the trailer, the Ring of Honor logos and likenesses were kept in the film, which should be a huge boost for the small promotion once the film hits theatres.

Overall this should be a great shot in the arm for the wrestling business and provide an Academy Award-caliber film as a bonus.